Skip Types: Your Waste, Smarter & Greener

Common Skip Hire Mistakes and How to Avoid Them Quick Answer: We break down the most common skip hire mistakes and show you exactly how to avoid them by understanding regulations and by following your provider’s guidelines, saving your time, money, and hassle.  Table of Contents Rapid Checklist Before You Book a Skip Estimate your waste type & volume first before hiring a skip Choose the right skip size for your waste removal project Know what you can’t put in a skip Decide where to place a skip Apply for permits if needed Book in advance, especially during busy seasons Why Avoiding Mistakes Matters Hiring a skip is an easy job, but these small mistakes, like choosing the wrong size, overfilling, or skipping permits, can cause major issues, such as: Extra costs from overfilling or needing an extra skip Fines from illegal disposal or improper placement Delays in waste collection For a smooth skip hire experience, make sure to avoid these silly mistakes while hiring a skip. Skip Hire Team professionals created this guide for the most common skip hire mistakes and how you can avoid them. Let’s begin: First Mistake: Choosing the Wrong Skip Size What’s the Problem Sometimes, customers book the cheapest or smallest skip to save a small penny, but in the end, the waste doesn’t fit, leading to reordering and paying double charges. Solution Estimate your waste properly: make a complete list of items you plan to dispose of. Use a skip size guide to know what skip is ideal for your job. Or we recommend choosing a large size if unsure, it’s better to have slightly extra space than to risk overfilling Skip Type Size (Yards³) Ideal For Midi Skip 4–5 yards Kitchen/bathroom renovations Builder Skip 6–8 yards Construction or medium projects Maxi Skip 10–12 yards Large renovations or bulky items RORO (Roll-on) 20–40 yards Commercial or industrial projects If you are still confused, contact our professional team, and we’ll recommend the right size based on your project. Second Mistake: Overfilling the Skip What’s the Problem This is another common mistake. All the skips have a clear “fill line.” Overfilling a skip beyond its maximum fill line is unsafe and illegal, and leads to spills during transport, fines, or refusal of collection. Solution Respect fill line: Never fill above the top edge of the skip Break down bulky items like furniture and cardboard to save space and fill properly. Place larger, flat items at the bottom and fill gaps with smaller pieces. If you suspect you’ll have more waste, go for a larger skip from the start Third Mistake: Disposing of Restricted Items What’s the Problem Sometimes, customers throw hazardous or restricted waste into skips. It’s totally illegal to place such waste, and it can lead to fines, rejected pickups, or environmental violations. Prohibited Skip Items Include: Asbestos Batteries Paint, solvents, and chemicals Electrical appliances (e.g. TVs, fridges) Tyres Gas cylinders etc. Solution Check with your skip provider for a list of prohibited items. At Skip Hire Team, we provide clear guidance on what can and can’t go in your skip. Use alternative disposal methods. Contact local recycling centres for hazardous waste or specialist waste disposal services. Fourth Mistake: Placing the Skip in the Wrong Location What’s the Problem Wrong placement is a big concern. Placing a skip on your own private property (like your driveway or garden) does not require a permit. But, if placing a skip on public land, such as a road or pavement, a permit is required from your local council. Failure to obtain could result in fines or collection refusal and demand for the immediate removal of the skip. Solution Decide where you will place the skip before you book Check accessibility: Make sure our lorry has clear access for delivery and collection. Tip: At Skip Hire Team, we can arrange a skip permit on your behalf as part of the service. Remember that permit applications can take a few days, so always plan ahead! Fifth Mistake: Booking Too Late What’s the Problem Peak times like spring, summer, or weekends fill up fast. Late bookings mean fewer skip choices or delayed deliveries, especially if permits are required. Solution Book your skip 1–2 weeks in advance For last-minute needs, check availability before planning work Apply for permits early if you’re placing the skip on public land Sixth Mistake: Poor Placement What’s the Problem Another major issue is the location or spot you choose for the skip. A bad spot can make loading very difficult, block access for delivery and collection trucks, and may damage your private property. Solution Choose a suitable location: Always place it on a stable and solid surface that is easily accessible for our lorry. Our lorries typically require at least a 9-foot width clearance. Make sure there is enough clearance for the vehicle to safely drop off and pick up the skip.  Clear the placement area: On a delivery day, make sure the area is free of any obstacles like parked cars, bins, or low-hanging branches.  If you have any concerns about access, talk to our team when you book. We advise ensuring a smooth delivery and collection. Last Mistake is Not Recycling Properly The Mistake Some customers use a skip for dumping solutions and ignore recycling or segregating the waste materials. That’s a big mess. How to Avoid It Keep recyclable materials such as wood, metal, and cardboard separate where possible. Choose eco-friendly providers like Skip Hire Team. We encourage responsible waste disposal and work with licensed recycling facilities to maximise the amount of material diverted from landfill. Final Thoughts Avoiding these common mistakes saves time, money, and stress. Whether you’re handling a home renovation or any small and large-scale construction project, planning ahead and following these best practices makes all the difference. With Skip Hire Team, You Get: The correct skip size, every time Permit assistance (when required) Guidance on safe, legal disposal Reliable delivery and collection, no delays Avoid fines, delays, and surprises. Plan ahead, and